In order to reduce the risk of firearm-related accidents and better the safety of homes and communities across the world, it is important that all applicants applying for a gun licence have the adequate knowledge of firearm laws and safe-handling practices.
The Ten Rules of Safe Gun Handling should be etched in your mind day in and day out. Let them govern your actions wherever and whenever you come into contact with a firearm. In the woods. On the range. Or in your home. Please take time to review and understand these rules. It is very important that you do so.
1. Always Keep The Muzzle Pointed In A Safe Direction.
This is the most important, yet basic, rule to learn about firearms. If everyone handled a firearm this way so that the muzzle is never pointed at something or someone you do not intend to shoot, there would be virtually no firearms accidents.
It’s a very simple rule to learn – never point your gun at anything you do not intend to shoot. This is particularly important when loading or unloading a firearm. You never know when the gun is loaded as a bullet may be lodged. In the event of an accidental discharge, no injury can occur as long as the muzzle is pointing in a safe direction – to the ground.
2. Firearms should only be loaded when in use.
Firearms should be loaded only when you are in the field or on at target range or shooting area and are ready to shoot. When not in use, firearms and ammunition should be securely placed in a safe place – separated. It is your responsibility to prevent children and unauthorized adults from gaining access to firearms or ammunition. If Nancy Lantz did that, her son Adam would never have had access to her guns.
Remember to ALWAYS unload your gun as soon as you are finished. A loaded gun has no place NEAR YOUR car, truck or building. Unload your gun immediately when you have finished shooting, well before you bring it into a car, camp or home.
3. Do Not Rely on Gun Safety.
Don’t rely on your gun’s safety to help you out. Treat every gun as if it is loaded at any time, whether or not there’s pressure on the trigger.
Your firearm has been carefully designed to maximize performance and safety. However, a gun’s safety is a mechanical device and, like any mechanical device, there is a chance that it could fail.
Human error is a more likely reason for a gun safety to fail.
4. Don’t touch the trigger on a firearm until you are ready to shoot.
Remember to keep your fingers away from the trigger when its being loaded or unloaded. And don’t pull the trigger when the safety is engaged or positioned anywhere between safe and fire. This is where the mechanical device often fails and all because of human error.
5. Know What You’re Shooting at.
Your target is whatever you decide to shoot at. This is extremely important to remember as it needs be a conscious decision when you shoot something. You need to know what you are going to shoot at, what is between you and the object, and what is beyond it. Paying attention is the key here.
6. Use the Right Ammo.
Make certain the ammunition you’re using is appropriate for the gun and matches its specs. Don’t assume that you have the correct ammo just because it can be jammed into the gun. The groceries you feed your firearm need to match up with the gun’s design and strength factors. The proper cartridge designation is typically shown on the gun. If you are in doubt, it is best to speak with the gun’s manufacturer or a qualified gunsmith who will assist you.
7. Pay Attention!
It is very easy to get distracted when you’re having fun, and target shooting can be quite some fun, especially if you’re enjoying it with your friends. However, it’s important NOT to get carried away. Take extra care to follow safe gun handling rules, and don’t be afraid to correct others when you see them mishandling firearms – we all need a reminder every now and then. Some folks may not like to hear it, but all participants must follow gun safety rules if everyone is to come home safe and sound. And that’s what we always want to see!
8. Teach gun safety to everyone at home.
All children must be warned that guns are not to be touched without supervision. Instruct them to immediately walk away and tell an adult if they find a gun. If you follow proper gun safety this should never be an issue, but you can’t be too safe, particularly when it comes to guns and children. Similarly, any adults in your home who are unfamiliar with guns should not handle one without your assistance.
9. Store ammunition separately from the guns.
Storing guns and ammo separately ensures no one has access to a loaded gun when they should not. Even if a curious child were to gain access to the gun, he would not be able to hurt himself or anyone else. Similarly, an intruder would be unable to use your weapon against you if he does not have a way of getting to the ammunition.
10. Use a gun safe for long-term storage.
This is, by far, the safest place to store a weapon. A good gun safe can protect your guns from fire, burglary, and accidental misuse by a child or even an uninformed adult. These safes come in a wide variety of styles and price ranges. It’s also good to install security cameras, but those are optional.
Top-10-list.org is committed to gun safety and does not promote gun violence or gun misuse in anyway. We encourage all firearm owners to seek assistance with proper gun handling procedures and to abide by the law. Let’s keep our streets, schools, communities and homes safe.
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